Islamic Ethos Asks Muslims to be Thankful to RSS Chief Shri Mohan Bhagwat

By Arman Neyazi, New Age Islam

6 July 2021

The Quranic Lessons and the Prophetic Traditions Command the Muslims to Acknowledge and Accept All the Messages and Invitations That Have Positivities in Them

Main Points:

1.    We are divided into nations and communities to know each other well and understand how to live together.

2.    Bhagwat Ji’s message of brotherhood and pluralism strengthens our belief in the Idea of India

3.    We, the Indian Muslims rather than going into the political context of the speech of Shri Mohan Bhagwat should express our joy and thanks for standing against majoritarianism.

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Islam is an Arabic word that means ‘peace’. Its root is from the verb سلم (Salama) which in the larger concept means submission, sincerity, safeness, and peace. Muslim is a word that has its root in the word Islam. The word ‘Muslim’ therefore, means, 'the one who has submission, sincerity, safeness, and ‘peace’ embedded in his DNA. The seal of the Messengers and Prophets of God in all the main branches of Islam, Prophet Muhammad Pbuh is sent on this earth to propagate the wisdom of Allah behind the peace and tranquillity. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Pbuh is not called Rahmatul Lil Alameen — meaning ‘Mercy for all the worlds’ not for nothing. His lessons and his life is universally acknowledged as a person embedded with the essence of pluralistic ethos and humility with a message of peace for the world.

The Quranic lessons and the prophetic traditions, therefore, command the Muslims to acknowledge and accept all the messages and invitations that have positivities in them for the betterment of society. Allah, the Most Gracious says in the Holy Quran: O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.... (Surah Al-Hujurat: 13) to make people understand that we, the people are one and are divided into nations and communities to know each other well and understand how to live together with the essence of peace and brotherhood.

 

Addressing an event organised by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch on the theme 'Hindustani First, Hindustan First', Mohan Bhagwat said that people can't be differentiated on how they worship. (File Photo)

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In the light of the above, the recent pronouncements of respected Shri Mohan Bhagwat Ji, the RSS Chief, of peace and tranquillity among the communities of the country must be taken on the face value. Bhagwat Ji’s message of brotherhood and pluralism during these troubled and trying times, arisen because of Covid and various other factors, has further strengthened our belief in the Idea of India. Shri Mohan Bhagwat Ji’s message of pluralism should work as a cure not only of the social wounds of the Indian Muslims as it was addressed to them but to the country at large as it carries the perfect mixture of spiritual medicines Indian society needs.

This message of goodwill and assurance has the power of changing the political and social ethos of the country. This message, if implemented in the words and spirits will turn the RSS Chief into a historical personality. He will be remembered as a Messiah for generations to come. ‘We, the people of India’ the opening message and the soul of our Constitution will achieve its meaning and our country will be acknowledged all over the world as an abode of peace, love, compassion, brotherhood and prosperity. As the adage, united we stand and divided we fall' will get alive. The world will witness the power of the people of a country that live and die for their motherland.

Shri Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS Chief said:

“If a Hindu says that no Muslim should live here, then the person is not Hindu. Cow is a holy animal but the people who are lynching others are going against Hindutva. Law should take its own course against them without any partiality.” He further adds: “Hindu-Muslim unity is misleading as they are not different, but one. DNA of all Indians are the same, irrespective of religion”. He advises Muslims not to get “trapped in the cycle of fear that Islam is in danger in India”.

Shri Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS Chief will always be adored as ‘an angel of peace in the books of history if he succeeds in implementing what he said. The country’s peace, prosperity and brotherhood will be remembered as ‘thanks to Shri Bhagwat.

On Being Thankful

We, the Indian Muslims rather than unnecessarily going into the political context of the speech of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and criticising him accusing of making such announcements as and when it suits him or his organisation, should express our joy and thanks for him standing against the majoritarianism and praising the pluralistic ethos of Indian culture.

Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad Pbuh command and ask the believers to be ‘thankful’ to all who do even the slightest of good deeds in their favour. Allah loves those who are thankful and the Holy Prophet (SAW) ask the believers to thank on every occasion or incident that pleases them or favours them. Consider what Allah, the Most Gracious says in the Holy Quran about being thankful:

“We showed him (i.e. man) the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will)” (Surah Al-Insan 76:3)

“…This is by the grace of my Lord! – To test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour!” (Surah an-Naml 27:40)

“And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): ‘If you are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you...." (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

Prophetic Traditions on Thankfulness

It was reported that the Prophet, Pbuh stayed up all night, standing until his feet became swollen. When he was asked, “Why are you doing this when Allah has forgiven all your past and future wrong actions?”

He, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, replied: ”Should I not be a grateful slave?”(Recorded in al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, (SAW), told Muath, (RA): “By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every Salah, ‘O Allah help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well.’” (Recorded in Ahmad and Tirmidhi)

Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad reported from Aisha, RA that the Prophet, Pbuh, said:

“No blessing is bestowed on a slave and he realises that it is from Allah, but the reward of giving gratitude for it is written for him. Never does Allah know the regret of His slave for a wrong action he has committed, but Allah forgives his wrong action he has committed, but Allah forgives his wrong action before the slave seeks forgiveness. No man buys a garment with his own money then puts it on and thanks Allah, but Allah will have forgiven him all his wrong action before the garment reaches his knees.”

The Prophet, SAW, said: “Allah is pleased with His slave if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it.” (Recorded in Muslim)

Abu Hurairah, RA narrated that the Prophet, Pbuh, said: “If any of you would like to see the great blessing of Allah on him, then let him look at those who are less fortunate than him, not those who appear better off than him.”

The Holy Quran and the Prophetic traditions are teachers of humility, pluralism and thankfulness along with all the positives of the human character. Muslims should cultivate these traits in their societies to win the hearts of our brothers and sisters who take us as ‘others’

And Allah Knows the Best.

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Arman Neyazi is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.

URL:    https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/mohan-bhagwat-rss-islamic/d/125053

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